Reddit reviews TRENDnet 24-Port Unmanaged Gigabit GREENnet Desktop Metal Switch, TEG-S24DG, Ethernet/Network Switch, 24 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 Ports, 48 Gbps Switching Capacity, Lifetime Protection,Black
We found 4 Reddit comments about TRENDnet 24-Port Unmanaged Gigabit GREENnet Desktop Metal Switch, TEG-S24DG, Ethernet/Network Switch, 24 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 Ports, 48 Gbps Switching Capacity, Lifetime Protection,Black. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
ETHERNET PORT CONFIGURATION: 24 Gigabit RJ 45 ports provide high speed network connections to devices and a 48Gbps switching capacity allows data traffic to flow smoothly, reducing traffic bottlenecks.DESKTOP DESIGN: Sturdy metal Ethernet desktop switch with built in power supply is well suited for desktop or rack mount installations. Its fanless design is perfect for quiet environments that require silent operation.ENERGY SAVINGS: The 24 Port Gigabit GREENnet Desktop Switch, model TEG S24Dg, provides high bandwidth performance, ease of use, and reliability, all while reducing power consumption by up to 70 percent. GREENnet technology automatically adjusts power consumption as needed, resulting in substantial energy savings. Embedded GREENnet technology works right out of the box with no management requirement.MOUNTING OPTIONS: Optional Rack Mount (sold separately) Rack mountable with ETH 11MK rack mount brackets.PLUG AND PLAY: Simply power up the switch and plug in connected devices. No software to install or configuration needed.LOW NOISE OPERATION: Fanless design lowers energy consumption and eliminates operating noise.TRENDnet LIFETIME PROTECTION: Lifetime TRENDnet Manufacturer Warranty.
> but I do want a very reliable, modular, but manageable home network
Mah nig ... like-minded fellow.
 
> I will be subscribing to Comcast
I am so sorry for you :(
 
Ok, let's tackle wifi first as there is more to talk about here.
First off, yes, wireless access point (AP) is the correct name, very good, seriously, most people just call them "router" or thingamajig or whatever else.
Second, also very good on the idea to decouple everything from each other and to put multiple APs around the house. So many ask for a magical all-in-one device that can reach the moon with wifi and act as a NAS for a small country via one USB attached HDD.
So, the device: Ubiquiti UniFi
Why: it does what you want: the seamless handoff. Basically this allows you to roam around your house without dropping signal, as the APs know when to hand you off to the nearest one.
This is a feature that is rarely found in consumer grade gear, and works decently in even fewer devices. On the UniFi devices it is so good that it does not drop a VoIP call when transitioning.
There are various versions of the device, N is the normal standard, only on the 2.4Ghz band (use Wifi Analyzer on Android to check how your spectrum is), then there is Long Range, Pro, and even AC.
IMHO they are not worth the extra money, or rather, in your case where most devices are wired and with your internet speed, you would not have great benefits from faster wifi.
These devices are around or under $70 on Amazon.
> is there a simple way to have more than wireless access point
More than 1 or what are you after here?
If it's with the UniFi devices, you can add as many as you want, just need the ports on a switch.
 
Router: Unifi EdgeRouter Lite (ERL)
It's based on Vyatta, a Debian OS made for routers. It is super stable, a beast of a workhorse, and it has a ton of advanced features. IPsec VPN is probably the only advanced feature you will really care for (I assume).
It's a router and only a router, so no wifi and no switch. It has 3 ports, which should be plenty for your setup (naturally you will want a switch or two).
Is it overkill for your setup? Maybe, but for $100 it's (again IMHO) the best router that that kind of money can buy. People will tell you that it is not very user friendly, and it might have been in the past, or to users that are not a bit technical, but the new GUI is all you will need to use to create a basic home network setup.
Mikrotik is another manufacturer of prosumer / cheap but good enterprise level gear, but just spec wise, the ERL is superior.
 
I'll link you a few unmanaged 24 port switches. Let me know if you want managed switches instead.
The main difference between managed and unmanaged is that the former gives you more control over your network, and if you want to do some things, like fancy segmentation of the network (VLANs), or QoS within the LAN (unnecessary in the home really), then you will need a managed switch.
The Trend-Net TEG-S24Dg is the second cheapest 24 port switch (gig of course) that I would buy.
I have had an 8 port Trend-Net switch for about 5 years with 0 troubles. The one linked above is metal casing, which helps with cooling and rigidity, and is a small form factor, so you can place it on a desk if you need to, and it's not a huge rack-mounted 19" beast (it's 11 inches long).
The TP-Link TL-SG1024 is a full size, rack mountable switch. No clue how it performs, but a bunch of reviews say it is good.
As you can see the difference in price is very small ($100 vs $108). Pick the one you like best or another all together. :)
One thing I would say is that I would not go with a 10/100 switch, as switches limit your internal speed, which can far exceed your internet speeds. For example file transfers between the NAS and your devices. Gig is the way to go, I wish 10 Gb would be cheaper, as I would go for it myself.
 
> Cables & walls
If you are running cables, do it once, and do it well: run Cat 6a cables.
Cat 6a cables are shielded, which protects from EMI (interference), and can run 10Gb up to 100m. Be sure to get Cat 6 A, and not just Cat 6, as Cat 6 (without the A) is only rated for 10 Gb at 40 meters or less.
The question you might be asking: why not just go with Cat 5e, which does 1Gb speeds to 100 meters just fine and is cheaper?
Well, most Cat 5e that is sold around, is not shielded, and you want shielded to run in the walls due to electrical cables and grounding systems. Also, you are tearing holes in home walls. Even if you are there for only a few years, why save a few dollars when you can do the job right?
 
In addition, you will want a bunch of faceplates, amazon or monoprice will have loads for cheap, a bunch of RJ-45 ends (don't skimp to much on these, some are really shitty), and potentially a patch panel.
A patch panel is a thing where you terminate your cable runs into it, and it allows you to plug an ethernet cable into it.
Like this
Basically this makes it so that you don't have to move around the cables which could damage them over time, and gives you a nice organized way to label each run. That being said, it's not mandatory, it's just something nice.
 
I know this is a wall of text, but I think I should have covered all your points.
You probably have more questions, ask away :)
I assume all the wires feed into one closet or something. Connect them to a patch panel.
From the Patch Panel, connect all of them to an unmanaged switch.
Connect the switch to the router.
That's it. That's the easy way of doing it. Just as it sounds, all you have to do is plug the wires in, no software configuration, nothing. You could buy a smart/managed switch and do some fancy stuff, but that's up to you.
I recommend you get yourself a good crimping tool and learn to make patch cables.
I like trendnet, never had any problems and pretty cheap.
16-Port ($88.69): http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-16-Port-Gigabit-GREENnet-TEG-S16DG/dp/B0044GJ516/ref=pd_sim_e_3
24-Port ($102.25): http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Unmanaged-GREENnet-Auto-MDIX-TEG-S24Dg/dp/B0044GH27U/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8
Most unmanaged switches will act the same. You can't really tell the difference, and so brand comes down to personal choice. TP-Link, D-Link, Netgear, Trendnet, Dell, HP, Zyxel, etc. Trendnet is my first choice, Netgear probably next.
I have had good success with Trendnet equipment myself, and stick to that brand. I'm running this one in the rack (along with a couple trendnet 8 port desktop switches scattered here and there):
https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Unmanaged-Switching-Protection-TEG-S24DG/dp/B0044GH27U
Note: to rack mount you'll have to buy the ears to go along with it.
Even though you might not need 24 ports now, you may in the future.